Fundamental Algorithms

Alan Siegel

Lecture: T 5:10-7:00, Room 109

Recitation: Th 5:10-6:00, Room 109

This course covers the design and analysis of
combinatorial algorithms. The curriculum is concept-based and emphasizes the
art of problem-solving. The class features
weekly exercises designed to strengthen conceptual understanding and problem
solving skills. Students are presumed to have adequate programming skills and
to have a solid understanding of basic data structures and their implementation
in the programming languages of their choice. Although some mathematical
sophistication is very helpful for this course, the necessary mathematics is
contained within the curriculum.

In some
recitation sessions, sophisticated problems will be solved by
the class in closely supervised individual, collaborative, and group efforts.
Other recitation sessions will be used for additional lecture.

Required Text:

An
Introduction to Algorithms: their Methods and ssendaM,

by A.R. Siegel.
A BRAND NEW edition of the text is available at NYU Copy Central
547 LaGuardia Places Tel: 212.998.1050

It will change as the lectures and organization are adapted to
fit the current time constraints.

Homework

There will be approximately 11 written homework assignments
that contain 10 to 15 multi-part exercises. Perhaps one-third
to one-half of these problems will be extremely challenging. That is,
the necessary concepts will have already been taught, but significant
thought will be needed to figure out how to apply these techniques
to solve the more challenging exercises.

Students are not required to solve even the majority of the difficult
problems,
but they are expected to write down what ideas/methods they used, and where
their solution method seems to have broken down.

Students are also expected to compare their own answers with the
solution handouts to identify the concepts and techniques were overlooked.
In particular, students are required to keep a copy of every homework assignment, and submit a self-grading of that copy in the first class that follows the due date for the assignment.

Because more than a third
of the course is embedded in the exercises, students are expected to study the
answers as a vehicle for mastering the material.

Homework will receive two grades: overall performance, and quality of
the self-grading effort. Incorrect and even fragmentary incorrect answers can receive full
credit for the QoE self-grading.

Course Grading Policy

20% Midterm Exam

10% Overall homework performance grade

20% Overall QoE homework grade

44% Final Exam

6% Classroom participation

The homework and exam grading policy allocates significantly more credit for
incorrect and partial solutions that include an explanation about what is
wrong than for comparable answers that lack any such comments.